Sticking-type device for living body

ABSTRACT

A deep body thermometer includes an upper exterior body including a foamed material of closed cells or semi-closed cells having waterproof properties and that is in a substantially hat-like shape in a side view, a lower exterior body having a peripheral edge in close contact with the upper exterior body, a sticking member that has adhesiveness and one surface that is stuck to an outer side surface of the lower exterior body, a wiring substrate housed in an accommodation space defined by the upper and exterior bodies, and an operation switch electrically connected to the wiring substrate. The operation switch receives an operation input in which an input direction of operation force is substantially parallel to the sticking member and does not receive an operation input in which an input direction of operation force is substantially perpendicular to the sticking member.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of PCT/JP2019/020818 filed May27, 2019, which claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No.2018-108589, filed Jun. 6, 2018, the entire contents of each of whichare incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a sticking-type device for a livingbody.

BACKGROUND

A current thermometer exists that has been proposed to be stuck to abody surface and continuously measures a body temperature to acquirebody temperature data. For example, Patent Document 1 (identified below)discloses a sticking-type thermometer for continuous measurement that isstuck to a body surface of a subject and measures a deep bodytemperature of the subject.

More specifically, the sticking-type thermometer can be stuck to a bodysurface of a subject, and has a battery built-in type IC tag having atemperature sensor, a power supply switch for turning on the batterybuilt-in type IC tag, and a holding unit for holding the power supplyswitch in an ON state. Further, the battery built-in type IC tag has aconfiguration in which an antenna and a processing unit are sandwichedand fixed between a front surface film and a back surface film.

-   Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application    Publication No. 2010-223743.

In the sticking-type thermometer described in Patent Document 1, apush-type power supply switch (e.g., an operation switch) is disposed ona top surface of the thermometer. For this reason, in a case where thesticking-type thermometer is stuck to the body surface, the power supplyswitch protrudes in a vertical direction from the surface of the body,so that the power supply switch may be erroneously pressed, that is, anerroneous operation may be received. For example, when the sticking-typethermometer is stuck to the chest, the power supply switch can beerroneously pressed down, for example, when lying in a prone position,when a shoulder strap of a bag comes into contact therewith, or thelike. As a result, an unintended operation (e.g., a malfunction) may becaused by the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the present invention havebeen made in order to solve the above-described problems. In particular,an object of the present invention is to provide a sticking-type devicefor a living body, which is configured to be stuck to the living bodyfor use and is constructed to prevent the operation switch from beingerroneously operated (i.e., receiving an erroneous switch operation).

In an exemplary aspect, a sticking-type device for a living body isprovided that is configured to be stuck to the living body for use. Thesticking-type device includes an exterior body having an accommodationspace inside the exterior body; a sticking member having adhesiveness,one surface of the sticking member being stuck to a bottom surface ofthe exterior body; a wiring substrate housed in an accommodation spaceof the exterior body; and an operation switch electrically connected tothe wiring substrate and configured to receive an operation performed bya user. Moreover, the operation switch receives an operation input inwhich an input direction of operation force is substantially parallel toa main surface of the sticking member, and does not receive an operationinput in which an input direction of operation force is substantiallyperpendicular to a main surface of the sticking member.

According to the sticking-type device for the living body, the operationswitch receives an operation input in which an input direction ofoperation force is substantially parallel (i.e., from the side) withrespect to the sticking member (i.e., the body surface when being stuckto the living body). By this construction, the operation switch does notreceive an operation input in which an input direction of operationforce is substantially perpendicular (i.e., from above) with respect tothe sticking member. Therefore, even when the force in a directionsubstantially perpendicular to the body surface is input to theoperation switch, the operation is not received. As a result, theoperation switch can be prevented from being erroneously operated (i.e.,receiving an erroneous switch operation) in the sticking-type device forthe living body, which is stuck to the living body for use.

According to the present invention, an operation switch is configured toprevent it from being erroneously operated (i.e., receiving an erroneousswitch operation) in the sticking-type device for the living body, whichis stuck to the living body for use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 includes a plan view and a bottom view illustrating an appearanceof a deep body thermometer according to a first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of thedeep body thermometer according to the first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating a lower exterior body configuring thedeep body thermometer according to the first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating a thermal resistor layer configuringthe deep body thermometer according to the first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 includes a plan view and a bottom view illustrating a wiringsubstrate configuring the deep body thermometer according to the firstexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating a flexible substrate configuring thedeep body thermometer according to the first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 includes a plan view and an exploded view illustrating a stickingmember configuring the deep body thermometer according to the firstexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a view (part 1) for explaining a method of assembling the deepbody thermometer according to the first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a view (part 2) for explaining the method of assembling thedeep body thermometer according to the first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 10 includes a plan view and a bottom view illustrating anappearance of a deep body thermometer according to a second exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 11 includes a plan view and a bottom view illustrating a wiringsubstrate configuring the deep body thermometer according to the secondexemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described in detail withreference to the accompanying drawings. Note that, in the drawings, thesame reference numerals are used to designate the same or correspondingparts. Further, in each of the drawings, the same elements are denotedby the same reference numerals, and description thereof will not berepeated. Additionally, here, a non-heating-type deep body thermometer(hereinafter simply referred to as a “deep body thermometer”) will bedescribed as an example of a sticking-type device for a living bodyaccording to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

First Exemplary Embodiment

First, a configuration of a deep body thermometer 1 according to a firstexemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG.7. FIG. 1 includes a plan view and a bottom view illustrating anappearance of the deep body thermometer 1. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectionalview (i.e., a cross-sectional view taken along a line II-II in FIG. 1)illustrating the configuration of the deep body thermometer 1. FIG. 3 isa plan view illustrating a lower exterior body 20 configuring the deepbody thermometer 1. FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating a thermalresistor layer 30 configuring the deep body thermometer 1. FIG. 5includes a plan view and a bottom view illustrating a wiring substrate40 configuring the deep body thermometer 1. FIG. 6 is a plan viewillustrating a flexible substrate 50 configuring the deep bodythermometer 1. FIG. 7 includes a plan view and an exploded viewillustrating a sticking member 60, which has adhesiveness, configuringthe deep body thermometer 1.

The deep body thermometer 1 is a non-heating type deep body thermometerthat obtains a heat flow rate from a deep body of a user (e.g., apatient or a subject) based on a difference between temperaturesdetected by a first temperature sensor 701 and a second temperaturesensor 702 and a difference between temperatures detected by a thirdtemperature sensor 703 and a fourth temperature sensor 704, and acquiresa deep body temperature. Further, the deep body thermometer 1 is asticking-type (e.g., a patch-type) deep body thermometer which is stuckto a body surface of the user and continuously measures the bodytemperature to acquire body temperature data. In particular, the deepbody thermometer 1 is a deep body thermometer constructed to prevent anoperation switch 406 from being erroneously operated (i.e., receiving anerroneous switch operation).

The deep body thermometer 1 is configured to mainly include an upperexterior body 10, the lower exterior body 20, a body temperaturemeasuring unit 15, a lining member 80, a buffer member 90, and thesticking member 60. Further, the body temperature measuring unit 15 isconfigured to mainly include the thermal resistor layer 30, the wiringsubstrate 40 on which the second temperature sensor 702 and the fourthtemperature sensor 704 are mounted, and the flexible substrate 50 onwhich the first temperature sensor 701 and the third temperature sensor703 are mounted. Hereinafter, each of the elements of the deep bodythermometer 1 will be described in detail.

The upper exterior body 10 is made of, for example, a foamed material ofclosed cells or semi-closed cells having waterproof properties and heatretaining properties. In order to prevent the temperature of the bodytemperature measuring unit 15 from being locally changed due to a suddenvariation (e.g., a change) in an outside air temperature, it ispreferable to use a foamed material having low thermal conductivity forthe upper exterior body 10. Note that, as the material, for example,polyurethane, polystyrene, polyolefin, or the like is preferably used.Further, as a processing method of the upper exterior body 10, forexample, vacuum molding is preferably used. The upper exterior body 10is formed to have a substantially hat-shaped cross section so as tohouse the body temperature measuring unit 15 (e.g., the thermal resistorlayer 30, the wiring substrate 40, the flexible substrate 50, and thelike). Therefore, a side surface of the thermal resistor layer 30 iscovered with the foamed material, and the side surface of the thermalresistor layer 30 is prevented from being exposed to the outside air.

The lower exterior body 20 is formed of, for example, a non-foamed resinfilm having waterproof properties (e.g., a low moisture permeability)and higher thermal conductivity than that of the upper exterior body 10.Examples of the material include polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester,polyimide, and the like, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) isparticularly preferably used. The lower exterior body 20 is formed in aplanar shape (flat) such that the flexible substrate 50 (e.g., bodytemperature measuring unit 15) to which the first temperature sensor 701and the third temperature sensor 703 are attached can be fixed theretoin a close contact manner. Note that, since a gap between the bodytemperature measuring unit 15 and the lower exterior unit 20 causesthermal resistance to vary and this influences heat fluxes, it ispreferable that the body temperature measuring unit 15 and the lowerexterior body 20 be fixed in a close contact manner by a method ofsticking with a double-sided adhesive tape, a method of fixing with anadhesive, or the like. The upper exterior body 10 and the lower exteriorbody 20 are formed to have the same (or substantially the same) sizes(outer dimensions), and are formed to have sizes of, for example, about40 to 100 (mm) in a longitudinal direction and about 20 to 60 (mm) in alateral direction.

Then, a peripheral edge portion of the upper exterior body 10 having thesubstantially hat-shaped cross section and a peripheral edge portion ofthe lower exterior body 20 formed in a planar shape are fixed in a closecontact manner by, for example, sticking with a double-sided adhesivetape, fixing with an adhesive, heat sealing, or the like. Note that, inorder to achieve waterproof performance, it is desirable that a portionwhere the upper exterior body 10 and the lower exterior body 20 arefixed in the close contact manner be flat and have structure in whichwrinkles are less likely to be formed. That is, it is preferable that anouter edge portion of the lower exterior body 20 be flat, an outer edgeportion of the opposing upper exterior body 10 be also flat, and they bestuck and fixed to each other in a close contact manner. In this case,since force is uniformly applied to the portion where the upper exteriorbody 10 and the lower exterior body 20 are fixed in a close contactconfiguration, problems, such as generation of wrinkles, that adverselyaffect the waterproof performance can be minimized or eliminated.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the body temperature measuring unit 15 isconfigured by laminating the flexible substrate 50, the thermal resistorlayer 30, and the wiring substrate 40 in this order from the lowerexterior body 20 side.

The thermal resistor layer 30 includes two thermal resistors havingdifferent thermal resistance values, that is, a first thermal resistor301 and a second thermal resistor 302 in order to form two heat fluxes(see, e.g., FIG. 4). As the first thermal resistor 301, a materialhaving higher thermal conductivity (i.e., a lower thermal resistancevalue) than that of the second thermal resistor 302, for example,plastics such as polypropylene, polyethylene, acrylic, polycarbonate,epoxy resin, and the like are preferably used. As the second thermalresistor 302, a material having lower thermal conductivity (i.e., ahigher thermal resistance value) than that of the first thermal resistor301, for example, foamed plastic (e.g., foamed material) such aspolyurethane, polystyrene, polyolefin, or the like is preferably used.However, plastic, rubber, or the like which is not foamed may also beused. Note that, here, the thermal conductivity of the metal such ascopper, aluminum, or the like is equal to or more than 100 [W/m/K],whereas the thermal conductivity of the plastic such as polypropylene,polyethylene, acrylic, polycarbonate, epoxy resin, or the like is about0.1 to 0.5 [W/m/K], and is lower by about three digits. The thermalconductivity of the foamed plastic is much lower than that by almost onedigit. The thermal conductivity of the air is much lower and is 0.024[W/m/K]. The first thermal resistor 301 and the second thermal resistor302 are formed to have substantially the same thickness in order toreduce cost by enabling the wiring substrate 40 and the flexiblesubstrate 50 to be laminated on each other.

A first through-hole 301 a penetrating in a thickness direction isformed in the first thermal resistor 301 configuring the thermalresistor layer 30. Similarly, a second through-hole 302 a penetrating ina thickness direction is formed in the second thermal resistor 302configuring the thermal resistor layer 30. The first through-hole 301 ais formed such that the first temperature sensor 701 and the secondtemperature sensor 702 are housed in an inner side portion thereof in aplan view. In other words, the first temperature sensor 701 and thesecond temperature sensor 702 which are paired are arranged inside(e.g., in the inner side portion of) the first through-hole 301 a alongthe thickness direction of the first thermal resistor 301. Similarly,the second through-hole 302 a is formed such that the third temperaturesensor 703 and the fourth temperature sensor 704 are housed in an innerside portion thereof in a plan view. In other words, the thirdtemperature sensor 703 and the fourth temperature sensor 704 which arepaired are arranged inside (e.g., in the inner side portion of) thesecond through-hole 302 a along the thickness direction of the secondthermal resistor 302.

Here, as the first temperature sensor 701 to the fourth temperaturesensor 704 (hereinafter, also collectively referred to as “temperaturesensors (corresponding to a biological sensor 70”), for example,thermistors, temperature measuring resistors, or the like whoseresistance values vary depending on temperatures which are biologicalsignals are preferably used. Note that, it is preferable that thetemperature sensors 70 have small heat capacitance as much as possiblefrom the viewpoint of enhancing responsiveness. Therefore, for example,chip thermistors are preferably used as the temperature sensors 70. Eachof the first temperature sensor 701 to the fourth temperature sensor 704is electrically connected to a processing circuit (MCU), which will bedescribed later, via a printed wiring, and electric signalscorresponding to the temperature are read by the processing circuit(MCU).

In order to reduce the size of the thermal flow-type deep bodythermometer 1, it is important to make the thermal resistor layer 30(e.g., the first thermal resistor 301 and the second thermal resistor302) small, however, when the thermal resistor layer 30 is made to besmall, differences in an output value between the paired temperaturesensors 70 become small, and thus, measurement errors may therefore beincreased. Here, since the temperature sensors 70 (e.g., chipthermistor) have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape andhave a thickness, the thickness of the temperature sensors 70 cannot beignored when the thermal resistor layer 30 is made to be thin. When thetemperature sensors 70 are in contact with the side surface of thethermal resistor layer 30, heat is transferred thereto from the contactportion, and therefore, the temperatures (e.g., detected values) of thetemperature sensors 70 may become temperature values deviating from thesurface temperature of the thermal resistor layer 30. As such and inorder to reduce this influence, structure is provided in which thethrough-holes 301 a and 302 a are formed in the thermal resistor layer30 around the temperature sensors 70, such that the temperature sensors70 do not make contact with the side surface of the thermal resistorlayer 30.

The wiring substrate 40 is, for example, a rigid substrate such as aglass epoxy substrate. On the wiring substrate 40, there is mounted theprocessing circuit for processing an output signal of each of the firsttemperature sensor 701 to the fourth temperature sensor 704 to acquiredeep body temperature data. In addition, a wireless communication unit403 which transmits (e.g., outputs) the acquired deep body temperaturedata and a coin battery 404 which supplies power to the processingcircuit and the wireless communication unit 403 are mounted on thewiring substrate 40. The processing circuit mainly includes atemperature input circuit and an arithmetic processing circuit. Thetemperature input circuit is configured to include, for example, anamplifier (for example, an operational amplifier), an analog/digitalconverter (an A/D converter), and the like for reading the detectionsignals (output voltages) of the temperature sensors 70. The temperatureinput circuit amplifies analog signals output from the temperaturesensors 70, converts the analog signals into digital signals, andoutputs the digital signals to the arithmetic processing circuit.

The arithmetic processing circuit is configured to calculate the deepbody temperature from the read measurement data (e.g., temperaturevalues). In an exemplary aspect, the arithmetic processing circuitincludes, for example, an MCU (Micro Control Unit), an EEPROM, a RAM,and the like, and calculates the deep body temperature based on thedetected values of the temperature sensors 70, which have been read viathe temperature input circuit. In addition, the arithmetic processingcircuit stores the calculated deep body temperature data in a memorysuch as the RAM. Further, the arithmetic processing circuit outputs thecalculated deep body temperature data to the wireless communication unit403 to thereby output (e.g., transmit) the calculated deep bodytemperature data to an external device wirelessly.

Note that, here, the arithmetic processing circuit calculates (e.g.,estimates) the deep body temperature based on the temperature differencebetween the front and back surfaces of the thermal resistors 301 and302, which is caused by the difference between the two heat fluxesformed using the two thermal resistors 301 and 302 having differentthermal resistances. More specifically, the arithmetic processingcircuit calculates a deep body temperature Tb based on the followingequation (1), for example:

Tb={T1·(T3−T4)*Ra1−T3·(T1−T2)*Ra2}/{(T3−T4)*Ra1−(T1−T2)*Ra2}  (1)

Note that Tb represents a deep body temperature, T1 represents atemperature detected by the first temperature sensor 701, T2 representsa temperature detected by the second temperature sensor 702, and Ra1represents a thermal resistance value of the first thermal resistor 301.In addition, T3 represents a temperature detected by the thirdtemperature sensor 703, T4 represents a temperature detected by thefourth temperature sensor 704, and Ra2 represents a thermal resistancevalue of the second thermal resistor 302.

Here, since Ra1 and Ra2 are known, the deep body temperature Tb can beuniquely determined by detecting the four temperatures (i.e., T1, T2,T3, T4).

On a lower surface of the wiring substrate 40, the second temperaturesensor 702 which acquires the temperature of an upper surface (e.g.,outside air side) of the first thermal resistor 301 and the fourthtemperature sensor 704 which detects the temperature of an upper surface(e.g., outside air side) of the second thermal resistor 302 are mounted.More specifically, thermal equalization patterns 401 and 402 forequalizing peripheral temperature distribution are formed on the lowersurface of the wiring substrate 40, one electrode of the secondtemperature sensor 702 is connected to the thermal equalization pattern401, and one electrode of the fourth temperature sensor 704 is connectedto the thermal equalization pattern 402. The thermal equalizationpatterns 401 and 402 are made of, for example, a material having highthermal conductivity, such as a metal film.

Further, in order to prevent the temperature of only a part of thewiring substrate 40 from being changed due to influences of the outsideair temperature and the like, it is preferable to provide, on a backsurface side (e.g., outside air side) of a wiring layer on which thesecond temperature sensor 702 and the fourth temperature sensor 704 aremounted, an equalization member (e.g., a metal film) having high thermalconductivity for thermally equalizing the influences of the temperaturedistribution of the outside air temperature. Here, as the equalizationmember, a metal foil, a metal thin plate, or the like may be used, butit is desirable to form the equalization member as a wiring pattern(e.g., solid pattern) of an inner layer of the wiring substrate 40(e.g., multilayer rigid substrate), similarly to the wiring layer formedon the wiring substrate 40. In this case, the wiring pattern (e.g.,solid pattern) of the inner layer, which is used as the equalizationmember, can be a ground pattern but is preferably an independent patternthat is connected to no electric circuit and through which no currentflows.

The wireless communication unit 403 transmits the acquired deep bodytemperature data (e.g., biological information) to an external controldevice or an information terminal (for example, a smart phone or thelike). Here, the wireless communication unit 403 transmits the deep bodytemperature data to the external control device or the informationterminal using, for example, Bluetooth® or the like. The thin coinbattery 404 supplies electric power to the processing circuit (i.e., anelectronic component), the wireless communication unit 403, and the likedescribed above. The coin battery 404 is housed in a battery holder 95mounted on or otherwise attached to the wiring substrate 40. The batteryholder 95 is disposed between the wiring substrate 40 and the liningmember 80. That is, the battery holder 95 also serves as a spacer membersupporting the lining member 80. Note that, in order to reduce a flatarea (e.g., a sticking area) of the body temperature measuring unit 15(i.e., deep body thermometer 1) and to prevent influences of heatgeneration caused by change in the outside air temperature andoperations of the wireless communication unit 403 from occurring, thewireless communication unit 403 and the coin battery 404 (battery holder95) are disposed on the opposite side (e.g., upper surface side) to thetemperature sensors 70 with the wiring substrate 40 interposedtherebetween.

The operation switch 406 (hereinafter also referred to as a “powersupply switch”) which receives an ON/OFF operation or the like of apower supply by the user with the upper exterior body 10 interposedtherebetween is electrically connected to the wiring substrate 40(processing circuit). A notch portion is formed in a side portion of thewiring substrate 40, and the power supply switch 406 is attached so asto be housed in the notch portion, in a manner such that a main surfaceof the wiring substrate 40 and an operation direction of the powersupply switch 406 are substantially parallel to each other. The wiringsubstrate 40 is housed in an accommodation space defined by the upperexterior body 10 and the lower exterior body 20 in a manner such thatthe power supply switch 406 faces the back surface (i.e., rear surface)of a side surface portion of the upper exterior body 10. That is, thepower supply switch 406 is arranged on the side surface of the upperexterior body 10. Therefore, the power supply switch 406 receives anoperation input in which an input direction of operation force issubstantially parallel (i.e., from the side of the upper exterior body10) with respect to the wiring substrate 40 and the sticking member 60(i.e., the body surface when the deep body thermometer 1 is stuck to theliving body). Based on this configuration, the power supply switch 406is prevented from receiving an operation input in which an inputdirection of operation force is substantially perpendicular (i.e., fromabove) with respect to the wiring substrate 40 and the sticking member60.

As the power supply switch 406, for example, a push button switch, arocker switch, or the like is preferably used. Note that in a case ofthe push button switch, a push button switch employing an alternateoperation of holding an ON state even when a fingertip is separatedtherefrom is preferably used. Further, the power supply switch 406 ispreferably a surface mount type, but a lead type may also be used.

Here, in order to prevent the power supply switch 406 from beingerroneously (e.g., accidentally) pressed to turn ON/OFF the power supplyand prevent the power supply switch 406 from pushing up the upperexterior body 10, the power supply switch 406 is disposed inside (in theaccommodation space of) the upper exterior body 10 so as not to makecontact with the back surface of the side surface portion of the upperexterior body 10. To be more specific, a gap between a button topsurface of the power supply switch 406 and the back surface (i.e., rearsurface) of the side surface portion of the upper exterior body 10 ispreferably set to a range of, for example, 0 to 4 (mm), and morepreferably set to a range of 0.5 to 1.5 (mm). In addition, a stroke ofthe power supply switch 406 is preferably set to a range of 0.1 to 1(mm), and more preferably set to a range of 0.1 to 0.3 (mm), forexample.

Further, on the upper surface of the wiring substrate 40, an LED 405which lights or flickers in accordance with a user's operation and abody temperature measurement state (for example, ON/OFF of the powersupply switch 406, start/end of measurement, and the like) is preferablymounted. Note that instead of the LED, for example, a VCSEL or the likemay be used. Further, an FPC connector 407 for electrically connectingthe flexible substrate 50 is attached to the lower surface side of thewiring substrate 40.

The flexible substrate (FPC) 50 is made of, for example, polyimide,polyester (PET), or the like and has flexibility. On the flexiblesubstrate 50, the first temperature sensor 701 which acquires thetemperature of the first thermal resistor 301 on a skin side and thethird temperature sensor 703 which acquires the temperature of thesecond thermal resistor 302 on a skin side are mounted. Morespecifically, as illustrated in FIG. 6, in order to equalize theperipheral temperature distribution, thermal equalization patterns 501and 502 are formed on the flexible substrate 50, one terminal of thefirst temperature sensor 701 is connected to the thermal equalizationpattern 501, and one terminal of the third temperature sensor 703 isconnected to the thermal equalization pattern 502. The thermalequalization patterns 501 and 502 are made of, for example, a materialhaving high thermal conductivity, such as a metal film. Each of thefirst temperature sensor 701 and the third temperature sensor 703 isconnected to the wiring substrate 40 (i.e., processing circuit) viawiring patterns 53 and the FPC connector 407, and electric signals(e.g., voltage values) corresponding to the temperatures are read by theprocessing circuit (e.g., temperature input circuit). Note that, asdescribed above, the lower exterior body 20, the flexible substrate 50,the thermal resistor layer 30, and the wiring substrate 40 are fixed toeach other in a close contact manner by, for example, a double-sidedadhesive tape or the like so as to form no gap therebetween in order toform the heat fluxes.

The lining member 80 formed in a thin plate shape (e.g., a sheet shape)thinner than the buffer member 90, which will be described later, isdisposed on the back surface (e.g., rear surface) of a top surface ofthe upper exterior body 10, that is, between the upper exterior body 10and the buffer member 90 and the battery holder (e.g., spacer member)95. The lining member 80 is made, for example, of a resin material suchas PET having flexibility, so as to be capable of being curved. In orderto suppress wrinkles on the upper exterior body 10, one surface of thelining member 80 is stuck to and attached to the back surface (e.g.,rear surface) of the top surface of the upper exterior body 10 by, forexample, a double-sided adhesive tape or the like. Note that, the liningmember 80 may be made of a thin metal plate or the like. Further, inorder to prevent the operation of the power supply switch 406 from beinghindered, the lining member 80 may be provided with a notch inaccordance with the power supply switch 406, similarly to theabove-described wiring substrate 40.

Between the upper surface (i.e., main surface) of the wiring substrate40 and the lining member 80, the buffer member 90 which has bufferproperties (e.g., cushioning properties) and is formed in a plate shapeis disposed. The buffer member 90 is formed to be thicker than a height(i.e., a tallness) of the electronic component from a mounting surfaceof the wiring substrate 40. The buffer member 90 is stuck and attachedto another surface of the lining member 80 by, for example, adouble-sided adhesive tape or the like.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the sticking member 60 is configured toinclude a first adhesive layer 601 which is stuck to an outer sidesurface of the lower exterior body 20, a ventilation layer 603 (i.e., amoisture permeable layer transmitting moisture) which is stuck to thefirst adhesive layer 601 and has ventilation properties, and a secondadhesive layer 602 which is stuck to the ventilation layer 603. Then, ina case where the deep body thermometer 1 is stuck to the skin for use,sweat accumulated between the skin and the deep body thermometer 1(e.g., lower exterior body 20) for a long time may cause the skin to beinflamed, however, by providing the ventilation layer 603 which allowsmoisture to pass in the sticking member 60, stuffiness by sweat or thelike is suppressed. As the ventilation layer 603 (i.e., the moisturepermeable layer), for example, nonwoven fabric can be suitably used.Note that in place of the nonwoven fabric, cloth or knitted fabric maybe used. Further, paper, wood, sponge/foamed material of open-cells, orthe like may be used, or plastic, rubber, or metal structure havinggrooves or holes extending from the center of the body temperaturemeasuring unit 15 toward a peripheral edge thereof may be used.

Since the ventilation layer 603 (i.e., the moisture permeable layer)contains the air therein, the heat conductivity thereof is usually low.Therefore, when the ventilation layer 603 is positioned between the skinand the sensors, a body temperature measurement accuracy is affected. Inconsideration of this (in order to stably measure the body temperature),the ventilation layer 603 is not arranged in a region overlapping withthe first temperature sensor 701 and the third temperature sensor 703,which measure the temperatures of the skin, and the thermal equalizationpatterns 501 and 502 connected to them.

Here, a case where the nonwoven fabric is used as the ventilation layer603 (i.e., the moisture permeable layer) will be described as anexample. As illustrated in FIG. 7, double-sided adhesive tapes (thefirst adhesive layer 601 and the second adhesive layer 602) havingbiocompatibility are stuck to both sides of the nonwoven fabric (theventilation layer 603). In the ventilation layer 603 and the secondadhesive layer 602, through-holes 60 a and 60 b in which the firsttemperature sensor 701 and the third temperature sensor 703 are housedin inner side portions in a plan view are formed in a thicknessdirection. Here, it is preferable that no through-hole be formed in thedouble-sided adhesive tape (first adhesive layer 601) to be stuck to thelower exterior body 20. This is because when the through-hole is formedtherein (i.e., when the first adhesive layer 601 is not present), thelower exterior body 20 does not make close contact with the skin and themeasurement accuracy may possibly be lowered.

Further, in general, since the double-sided adhesive tape (secondadhesive layer 602) is inferior in the moisture permeability to thenonwoven fabric (ventilation layer 603), it is preferable to form aplurality (seven in the example illustrated in FIG. 7) of through-holes60 c formed in the thickness direction in at least the second adhesivelayer 602. In this case, for example, it is preferable to arrange thethrough-holes 60 c having the diameter of about 1 to 10 mm withintervals of about 2 to 20 mm. Note that, instead of the through-holes60 c, for example, a notch having a crossing portion (i.e., a notchintersecting in a cross shape) may be formed. In this case, it ispreferable to arrange the intersecting notches having the length ofabout 1 to 10 mm with intervals of about 2 to 20 mm.

Next, a method of assembling the deep body thermometer 1 (e.g., amanufacturing method) will be described with reference to FIG. 8 andFIG. 9. FIG. 8 is a view (part 1) for explaining the method ofassembling the deep body thermometer 1. FIG. 9 is a view (part 2) forexplaining the method of assembling the deep body thermometer 1.

The deep body thermometer 1 is assembled in the following steps (1) to(6), for example.

One surface of the thermal resistor layer 30 (i.e., the first thermalresistor 301 and the second thermal resistor 302) is fixed to the backsurface of the wiring substrate 40 in a close contact manner by adouble-sided adhesive tape.

After the flexible substrate 50 is connected to the FPC connector 407 ofthe wiring substrate 40, the flexible substrate 50 is fixed to the othersurface of the thermal resistor layer 30 (i.e., the first thermalresistor 301 and the second thermal resistor 302) in a close contactconfiguration by a double-sided adhesive tape.

The coin battery 404 is fitted to the wiring board 40 (i.e., insertedinto the battery holder 95 mounted on the wiring substrate 40).

The body temperature measuring unit 15 (i.e., the wiring substrate 40,the thermal resistor layer 30, the flexible substrate 50) on theflexible substrate 50 side is fixed to a central portion of the lowerexterior body 20 in a close contact manner by a double-sided adhesivetape.

One surface of the lining member 80 is stuck to the back surface (i.e.,rear surface) of the upper exterior body 10 by a double-sided adhesivetape, and the buffer member 90 is stuck to the other surface of thelining member 80 by a double-sided adhesive tape.

A peripheral edge portion of the upper exterior body 10 to which thelining member 80 and the buffer member 90 have been stuck and aperipheral edge portion of the lower exterior body 20 to which the bodytemperature measuring unit 15 has been fixed are fixed to each other ina close contact manner by a double-sided adhesive tape.

The sticking member 60 is stuck to the bottom surface of the lowerexterior body 20. In this manner, the deep body thermometer 1 isassembled (e.g., manufactured). Note that, in the embodiment, since thefirst temperature sensor 701 and the third temperature sensor 703 arenot arranged at symmetrical positions with respect to the center of thelower exterior body 20, a mark 20 a for indicating the stickingdirection of the sticking member 60 is put on the lower exterior body20. The first temperature sensor 701 and the third temperature sensor703 may be arranged at the symmetrical positions with respect to thecenter of the lower exterior body 20 and the mark 20 a indicating thesticking direction of the sticking member 60 may be eliminated.

When the deep body thermometer 1 assembled as described above is used,first, a separator (e.g., a release paper) attached to the secondadhesive layer 602 (e.g., double-sided adhesive tape) of the stickingmember 60 is peeled off. Then, after the power supply switch 406 ispressed from an outer side portion (e.g., the side) of the upperexterior body 10 to turn ON the power supply, the deep body thermometer1 is stuck to a measurement site of the user. Note that, since the powersupply switch 406 may be erroneously pressed during the measurement, itis preferable that an operation of turning ON/OFF the power supply bereceived by, for example, a long pressing operation of equal to or morethan several seconds or by a plurality of pressing operations. When theoperation is received, the LED 405 emits light in a predetermined lightemission pattern to inform the user that the operation has beenreceived. When the power supply is turned ON, the deep body temperaturemeasurement, storage of the measurement data in the memory, and wirelessdata output are started. Note that, in a case where the deep bodytemperature is measured, a measurement site is preferably the chest, thearmpit, the back, the waist, the neck, back of the head, or theforehead, however, in a case where body temperature fluctuation ismeasured, the measurement site may be the abdomen, the flank, the thigh,the ankle, the arm, the wrist, or the like.

As described in detail above, according to the embodiment, since thepower supply switch 406 is arranged on the side surface of the upperexterior body 10, the power supply switch 406 receives the operationinput in which the input direction of the operation force issubstantially parallel (i.e., from the side) with respect to thesticking member 60 (i.e., the body surface when the deep bodythermometer 1 is stuck to the living body), and does not receive theoperation input in which the input direction of the operation force issubstantially perpendicular (i.e., from above) with respect to thesticking member 60. Therefore, even when force in a directionsubstantially perpendicular to the body surface is input to the powersupply switch 406, the operation is not received. As a result, thisconfiguration prevents the power supply switch 406 from beingerroneously operated (i.e., receiving an erroneous switch operation).

Further, according to the embodiment, the upper exterior body 10 is madeof the foamed material of closed cells or semi-closed cells havingwaterproof properties and is formed in a substantially hat-like shape ina side view, the sticking member 60 is stuck to an outer side surface ofthe lower exterior body 20, and the wiring substrate 40 is housed in anaccommodation space defined by the upper exterior body 10 and the lowerexterior body 20. Therefore, it is possible to press the power supplyswitch 406 from the outer side of the upper exterior body 10.

Moreover, according to the embodiment, since the power supply switch 406is disposed inside (i.e., in the accommodation space of) the upperexterior body 10 so as not to make contact with the back surface of theside surface portion of the upper exterior body 10, it is possible tomore reliably prevent the power supply switch 406 from being erroneouslypressed (receiving the operation).

Second Exemplary Embodiment

Next, a deep body thermometer 1B according to a second embodiment willbe described with reference to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 together. Here, it isnoted that the description of the same or similar configurations as orto those in the above-described first embodiment will be simplified oromitted, and different points are mainly described. FIG. 10 includes aplan view and a bottom view illustrating an appearance of the deep bodythermometer 1B. FIG. 11 includes a plan view and a bottom viewillustrating a wiring substrate 40B configuring the deep bodythermometer 1B. Note that the same reference numerals are denoted toconstituent elements which are the same as or equivalent to those in thefirst embodiment in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11.

The deep body thermometer 1B is different from the deep body thermometer1 described above in that a plurality of operation switches 406 and 406B(e.g., two in this embodiment) that receive an operation by a user areprovided.

The operation switch 406 and the operation switch 406B which receive anoperation such as ON/OFF of a power supply by the user via an upperexterior body 10B are electrically connected to the wiring substrate40B. A pair of notch portions is formed in opposing side portions of thewiring substrate 40B, and two operation switches 406 and 406B areattached so as to be housed in the respective notch portions (i.e., in amanner such that the operation switch 406 is housed in one notch portionand the operation switch 406B is housed in another notch portion) and ina manner such that a main surface of the wiring substrate 40B andrespective operation directions of the operation switches 406 and 406Bare substantially parallel to each other. The wiring substrate 40B ishoused in an accommodation space defined by the upper exterior body 10Band the lower exterior body 20 such that each of the operation switch406 and the operation switch 406B faces the back surface (i.e., rearsurface) of the opposing side surface portions of the upper exteriorbody 10B. Note that positions of the notch portions do not necessarilyneed to be symmetrical, and may be shifted.

That is, the operation switch 406 and the operation switch 406B each arearranged on side surfaces of the upper exterior body 10B which areopposed each other. Note that each of the two operation switches 406 and406B may be arranged on side surfaces which intersect each other,instead of the different side surfaces of the upper exterior body 10B,that is, the side surfaces which are opposed face each other. Further,for example, when the one operation switch 406 is arranged on the sidesurface of the upper exterior 10B, the other operation switch 406B maybe arranged on a top surface of the upper exterior 10B. That is, it isonly required that the operation switches 406 and 406B are arranged soas not to be turned on at the same time by one operation.

Therefore, the operation switch 406 and the operation switch 406B eachreceive an operation input in which an input direction (e.g., anoperation direction) of operation force is substantially parallel (i.e.,from the side of the upper exterior body 10B) with respect to the wiringsubstrate 40B and the sticking member 60 (i.e., the body surface whenthe deep body thermometer 1 is stuck to the living body), and do notreceive an operation input in which an input direction (e.g., anoperation direction) of operation force is substantially perpendicular(i.e., from above) with respect to the wiring substrate 40B and thesticking member 60. Note that, as described above, a configuration canbe provided in which only one of the operation switch 406 and theoperation switch 406B receives only the operation input in which theinput direction (e.g., an operation direction) of the operation force issubstantially parallel (i.e., from the side of the upper exterior body10B) with respect to the wiring substrate 40B.

It is also noted that as described above, as the operation switches 406and 406B, for example, a push button switch, a rocker switch, or thelike is preferably used. Additionally, in a case of the push buttonswitch, a push button switch employing an alternate operation of holdingan ON state even when a fingertip is separated therefrom is preferablyused. Further, the operation switches 406 and 406B are preferably asurface mount type, but a lead type may also be used. However, theoperation switch 406 and the operation switch 406B do not need to be ofthe same type, and may be of different types.

Moreover, similarly to the above-described first embodiment, in order toprevent the operation switches 406 and 406B from being erroneously(e.g., accidentally) pressed down and prevent the operation switches 406and 406B from pushing up the upper exterior body 10B, each of theoperation switches 406 and 406B is disposed inside (in the accommodationspace of) the upper exterior body 10B so as not to make contact with theback surface of the side surface portion of the upper exterior body 10B.

In the embodiment, the operation is received in accordance with acombination of a plurality of operation inputs input to each of the twooperation switches 406 and 406B, respectively. In this case, theoperation is received in further consideration of operation timing ofeach of the two operation switches 406 and 406B. In this way, forexample, the following functions (1) to (4) can be added according to anexemplary aspect.

A function of receiving an operation only in a case where each of thetwo operation switches 406 and 406B is operated at the same time.

A function of enabling an operation in a case where one operation switch406 is operated first and then the other operation switch 406B isoperated.

A function of enabling an operation in a case where the one operationswitch 406 is operated for, for example, equal to or more than onesecond, and then the other operation switch 406B is operated for, forexample, equal to or more than two seconds.

A function of shifting (e.g., switching) a mode in a case where the twooperation switches 406 and 406B are simultaneously operated in turningON/OFF of the power supply, and the operation switch 406 or theoperation switch 406B is operated in the ON state of the power supply.Note that, examples of the mode include a short-time measurement mode inwhich measurement is performed in a short time, a memory mode (e.g., arecording mode) in which measurement data is stored in an internalmemory, a sleep mode, and the like. Further, a mode in which the deepbody temperature is measured, a mode in which measurement of anelectrocardiogram or the like is performed in addition to the deep bodytemperature, and the like are also exemplified.

It is noted that the other configurations are the same as or similar tothose of the deep body thermometer 1 according to the first embodimentdescribed above, and thus detailed description thereof will be omittedhere.

According to the embodiment, two operation switches 406 and 406B thatreceive an operation by a user are provided, and each of the twooperation switches 406 and 406B receives the operation input in whichthe operation direction is substantially parallel (i.e., from the side)with respect to the wiring substrate 40B and the sticking member 60(that is, the body surface when the deep body thermometer 1 is stuck tothe living body), and does not receive the operation input in which theoperation direction is substantially perpendicular (i.e., from above)with respect to the sticking member 60. Therefore, even when the forcein the direction substantially perpendicular to the body surface isinput to the operation switch 406, the operation is not received. As aresult, it is possible to more reliably prevent the operation switch 406from being erroneously operated (i.e., receiving an erroneous switchoperation).

In particular, according to the embodiment, since the respective twooperation switches 406 and 406B are arranged on different side surfacesof the upper exterior body 10B (the side surfaces opposed each other inthe embodiment), it is possible to prevent the operation switch 406 frombeing erroneously operated more effectively (i.e., receiving anerroneous switch operation).

Further, according to the embodiment, the operation is received inaccordance with the combination of operation inputs input to each of thetwo operation switches 406 and 406B, and the operation timing of each ofthe two operation switches 406 and 406B. Therefore, it is possible toadd the above-described various functions while an erroneous operationis reliably prevented.

It is noted that while the exemplary embodiments have been describedabove, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above,and various variations can be made. For example, in the aboveembodiments, the exemplary embodiments are provided for the two-heatflux-type deep body thermometer as the example for description, but theexemplary embodiments can be provided for a one-heat flux-type deep bodythermometer. In addition, the exemplary thermometer can be provided forother than the deep body thermometer. For example, the exemplaryembodiments can also be provided for an electrocardiograph and asticking-type device for a living body, which measures respiration andpulses, and the like, for example.

In an exemplary aspect, the operation switch 406 (406B) may be arrangedon another side surface of the upper exterior body 10 (10B), while thearrangement thereof is not limited to the above-described embodiments.Further, the upper exterior body 10 (10B), which has a substantially hatshape, may have a substantially trapezoidal shape.

In the embodiments described above, the operation switch 406 is attachedso as to be orthogonal to the wiring substrate 40 (the sticking member60), however, the operation switch 406 may be attached in parallel tothe wiring substrate 40 (the sticking member 60), and the inputdirection may be converted by using a link mechanism which converts thedirection of the operation force. That is, a configuration may also beadopted in which the operation input (from the side) in a paralleldirection is converted into an operation input (from above) in avertical direction via the link mechanism to press the operation switch406.

It is also noted that the shapes, sizes, and arrangement of each of thethermal resistor layer 30 (the first thermal resistor 301 and the secondthermal resistor 302), the wiring substrate 40, the flexible substrate50, the lining member 80, the buffer member 90 described above and thearrangement and the like of the first temperature sensor 701 to thefourth temperature sensor 704 are not limited to those in the aboveembodiments, and can be desirably set in accordance with requirementssuch as accuracy, for example.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   -   1, 1B DEEP BODY THERMOMETER (STICKING-TYPE DEVICE FOR LIVING        BODY)    -   10, 10B UPPER EXTERIOR BODY    -   15 BODY TEMPERATURE MEASURING UNIT    -   20 LOWER EXTERIOR BODY    -   30 THERMAL RESISTOR LAYER    -   301 FIRST THERMAL RESISTOR    -   302 SECOND THERMAL RESISTOR    -   301 a, 302 a THROUGH-HOLE    -   40, 40B WIRING SUBSTRATE    -   401, 402 THERMAL EQUALIZATION PATTERN    -   403 WIRELESS COMMUNICATION UNIT    -   404 COIN BATTERY    -   405 LED    -   406, 406B OPERATION SWITCH/POWER SUPPLY SWITCH    -   407 FPC CONNECTOR    -   50 FLEXIBLE SUBSTRATE    -   501, 502 THERMAL EQUALIZATION PATTERN    -   60 STICKING MEMBER    -   601 FIRST ADHESIVE LAYER    -   602 SECOND ADHESIVE LAYER    -   603 VENTILATION LAYER    -   60 a, 60 b THROUGH-HOLE    -   701, 702, 703, 704 TEMPERATURE SENSOR    -   80 LINING MEMBER    -   90 BUFFER MEMBER    -   95 BATTERY HOLDER

1. A device configured to adhere to a living body, the devicecomprising: an exterior body having an accommodation space therein; asticking member having adhesiveness with a first surface stuck to abottom surface of the exterior body; a wiring substrate housed in theaccommodation space; and an operation switch electrically connected tothe wiring substrate and housed in the accommodation space of theexterior body, wherein the operation switch is constructed to receive anoperation input having an input direction of operation force beingsubstantially parallel to a main surface of the sticking member, suchthat the operation switch is constructed to not receive the operationinput with the input direction of operation force being substantiallyperpendicular to the main surface of the sticking member.
 2. The deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the operation switch is arranged so as tonot make contact with a back surface of the exterior body.
 3. The deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the exterior body has a top surface, thebottom surface, and at least one side surface that connects the topsurface and the bottom surface, with the operation switch being arrangedon the at least one side surface of the exterior body.
 4. The deviceaccording to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of operationswitches configured to receive an operation performed by a user.
 5. Thedevice according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the plurality ofoperation switches is positioned to receive the operation input havingthe operation direction substantially parallel to the main surface ofthe sticking member, such that the at least one operation switch doesnot receive the operation input having the operation direction beingsubstantially perpendicular to the main surface of the sticking member.6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of operationinputs are configured to receive a combination of inputs.
 7. The deviceaccording to claim 6, wherein an operation is received based on anoperation timing of each of the plurality of operation switches.
 8. Thedevice according to claim 5, wherein the exterior body has a pluralityof side surfaces, and each of the plurality of operation switches isdisposed on different side surface of the plurality of side surfaces ofthe exterior body.
 9. The device according to claim 8, wherein each ofthe plurality of operation switches is disposed on a respective sidesurface of the plurality of side surfaces that oppose each other. 10.The device according to claim 5, wherein each of the plurality ofoperation switches is disposed on a different side surface of theplurality of side surfaces and a top surface of the exterior body,respectively.
 11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the exteriorbody comprises a foamed material of closed cells or semi-closed cellshaving waterproof properties.
 12. The device according to claim 11,wherein the exterior body comprises: an upper exterior body comprising asubstantially hat-like shape or a substantially trapezoidal shape in aside view; and a lower exterior body having a peripheral edge that is inclose contact with the upper exterior body, wherein the first surface ofthe sticking member is adhered to an outer side surface of the lowerexterior body, and wherein the accommodation space is defined by theupper exterior body and the lower exterior body.
 13. The deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the operation switch is a push-buttonswitch for an alternate operation.
 14. The device according to claim 1,further comprising a biological sensor configured to detect a biologicalsignal from the living body that is electrically connected to the wiringsubstrate.
 15. The device according to claim 14, wherein the biologicalsensor is a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of aliving body.
 16. A device that adheres to a living body, the devicecomprising: an exterior body having an accommodation space therein; asticking member having an adhesive layer coupled to a bottom surface ofthe exterior body; a wiring substrate housed in the accommodation space;and an operation switch electrically connected to the wiring substrateand housed in the accommodation space of the exterior body, wherein theoperation switch is positioned within the accommodation space to receivean operation input in an input direction that is substantially parallelto a main surface of the sticking member.
 17. The device according toclaim 16, wherein the operation switch is structurally positioned withinthe accommodation space such that the operation switch cannot receivethe operation input at an input direction that is substantiallyperpendicular to the main surface of the sticking member.
 18. The deviceaccording to claim 16, wherein the operation switch is arranged so as tonot make contact with a back surface of the exterior body.
 19. Thedevice according to claim 16, wherein the exterior body comprises afoamed material of closed cells or semi-closed cells having waterproofproperties, wherein the exterior body comprises: an upper exterior bodyhaving a substantially hat-like shape or a substantially trapezoidalshape in a side view thereof, and a lower exterior body having aperipheral edge that is coupled to the upper exterior body to define theaccommodation space of the exterior body, and wherein the adhesive layerof the sticking member is adhered to an outer side surface of the lowerexterior body.
 20. The device according to claim 16, wherein theoperation switch is a push-button switch.